LEAP-1A takes off in China

Zhejiang Loong Airlines has taken delivery of the first LEAP-1A-powered A320neo aircraft from the Airbus Final Assembly facility in Tianjin, China.

Zhejiang Loong Airlines has taken delivery of the first LEAP-1A-powered A320neo aircraft from the Airbus Final Assembly facility in Tianjin, China. The airline will be the first in Greater China to operate the advanced engine/aircraft combination.

Loong Air launched the LEAP-1A in China when it announced an order for engines to power nine Airbus A320neo aircraft — part of a total order for 20 A320 Family aircraft — at the Zhuhai Air Show in 2014.

Zhejiang Loong Airlines, based in Hangzhou in Eastern China, began commercial operations in December 2013 with two CFM56-5B-powered A320s and has since added 26 additional A320s. The carrier has a total of 121 aircraft in-service and on order — all powered by CFM/LEAP engines.